New Delhi: 

With Delhi and its satellite cities reeling under poisonous air, the Supreme Court on Saturday directed the Centre and the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government in the national capital to implement emergency measures to bring down pollution. The apex court even suggested that if required, the executive should declare a two-day lockdown to tackle the “emergency situation”.

Pulling up the Delhi government for blaming stubble burning for ‘severe’ air pollution in the city, the Supreme Court told its lawyer Rahul Mehra: ” Why are you bashing farmers all the time for pollution? This has become a fashion.”

The top court noted the reopening of schools in the national capital and observed that now, children’s lungs are exposed to hazardous pollution. “This is not centre but your jurisdiction. What is happening on that front?” the SC asked the Delhi government. 

The Delhi government’s lawyer admitted before the SC bench that inhaling Delhi’s air is “like smoking 20 cigarettes a day.”